This is What We Stand For

Our Vision

A world where every person has access to reliable and safe water and sanitation services.

Our Mission

Water For People exists to promote the development of high-quality drinking water and sanitation services, accessible to all, and sustained by strong communities, businesses, and governments.

our values

Our values are based on demonstrating integrity in all we do.

Accountability

to communities, partners, and each other

Courage

to innovate, to risk, to lead

Empowerment

of citizens, families, and local institutions

Partnership

on the ground, in the sector, and at all levels of government

Transparency

in what we do, what it costs, and what is working

This is Where it All Began

Water and sanitation is in our DNA

The idea behind Water For People began in the early 1980s, with three people who wanted to use their expertise to build a better world.

Ken Miller, Wayne Weiss, and John B. Mannion had spent their entire careers working in water and wastewater, and they each believed it was possible for everyone in the world to have access to safe water and sanitation services. This was no pipe dream—this was real conviction supported by decades of experience. In 1991, these three men came together with others in their industries to create Water For People, an international nonprofit based in Denver, Colorado. Using their networks, knowledge, and experience, they began to build a program that would bring lasting solutions to the world’s water crisis.

Today, Water For People continues to rely on strong ties to professionals in the water industry. These partnerships ensure the solutions we provide are grounded in the expertise of water and wastewater experts from around the world.

Our Water Industry Roots

Water For People was born out of the American Water Works Association (AWWA), the largest nonprofit, scientific, and educational association dedicated to managing and treating water.

We continue to have a strong partnership with AWWA, the Water Environment Federation, the National Association of Water Companies, the National Association of Clean Water Agencies, and the US Water Alliance.

These partners help us ensure high-quality drinking water and sanitation services are available to Everyone Forever.

THIS IS WHERE YOU COME IN

Your support can help us make the world’s water crisis a problem of the past, for Everyone Forever.